US Rep. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. voted absentee; no election event

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. addresses the audience at the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on August 25, 2008. PHOTO/Richards/AFP/Getty Images

Jesse Jackson Jr.’s publicist says the ailing Illinois congressman has voted by absentee ballot.

However, Kevin Lampe says in a statement that Jackson won’t hold an election night event next week.

Jackson has been at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic for treatment for bipolar disorder. He recently checked in for the second time and there’s been no indication of when he’ll return to work.

The Chicago Democrat took medical leave in June and hasn’t campaigned beyond a recent robocall to voters. In it, he asked for patience and says he wants to return to work.

Jackson first took office in 1995 and is widely expected to win again Tuesday. He faces two little-known challengers on the November 6 ballot, including a Republican college professor and postal worker running as an independent.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.